A Noble Nyonya by Esther Low

Synopsis from the back of the book

An intriguing, poignant and inspiring tale of a young Thai girl, Meh Nya, who escaped death during the murder of her aristocrat parents, fled from Thailand to Penang in Peninsula Malaya in the early 1900's. She grew up in the stately 'Pelangi' Mansion to emerge as a notable matriarch of a clan.

Find out what happened when a local mafia group, locked her in the mansion and set it ablaze and her agony watching her loved ones and friends raped, tortured and killed. Tear-jerker scenes depict her sharing in her daughter's intense persecution for intermarrying an Indian and the trauma of another daughter who lost her husband and son and tenaciously fought for her life against a killer disease. Nevertheless,share in her blissful escapades and eye- opening Baba Nyonya traditions and practices as she belonged to this exclusive community whose unique and interesting culture flourished in the former British Straits Settlements of Singapore, Penang and Malacca.Be awe-struck with her bizare, mind-boggling experiences with the local cultures as well as repulsive hemeopathic practices of the indigenous groups in Thailand, Malaya and ancient China.

The Last part of this compelling story resonates with gripping no-holds barred accounts of unprecedented atrocities of the Japanese soldiers during the Second World War. Find out how she and her entire family escaped decapitation in one of the many suspenseful episodes. Although horrific, in human tortures killed several of her family members, Meh Nya and her family painfully salvaged whatever remained.Advocating for love, peace and forgiveness, the matriarch's family successfully brought about life-changing values that helped to reconstruct many battered,war-torn lives.

Humorous post-war events and unexpected miracles make for a well-rounded and satisfactory read.

My Comments :

This book have potential. The plot and story was good .

However, the language it was written was rather stilled. It made me feel like the author trying to use too many "big word" and educate the readers. For example in page three, line 1 "Kheng and Ah Too ejaculated excitedly with each bite in their baits" and page six ""I'm famished, " he said, rubbing his abdomen." Both words like "ejaculated" and "abdomen" in the sentences makes me feel like back in English class.

However, am please to say the language got better as the pages goes by. It was much smoother and "normal".

I like the way the author added in some photos in the book. It would be great if they have been colored instead of black and white.

As I have said earlier, the story was good. However, the story tend to "jump from one family members to another. It kinda put me off the tale.

some of the things in the story was lack of vividness. For example when they were caught unaware that Japanese had landed. The family would have heard about Japanese advancing since some members are involved in Mining. It was kind of hard for me to believe that they are caught unaware. Moreover, they sure to have relatives from China and they would have heard some news about the condition in China at the time.

Overall, for me this book was "okay". Could have been better.

The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1) by Julie Kagawa

Synopsis from www.goodreads.com

Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.That is Ethan Chase's unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he'd dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister's world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My Comments :

I looked forward to this book since I got to know about it. Finally managed to lay my hands on this

It seems that this will be the "second generation" and a branch off the Iron Fey Series.  Here Ash and Meghan's son will hold the fort. Will Julie Kagawa be able to evoke the same magic that she did when she wrote about Ash and Meghan?

Well, for me this book is good enough although at this stage it's still lacking of depth as compare to the rest of the Iron Fey books. It could have been that she is laying the foundation for the coming "Traitor Prince". Guess, by the title we can expect what the son of Ash and Meghan will do.

So far Kierran(Ash and Meghan's son) have not show much potential yet apart from being head strong and a bit selfish. Why did I say that? It's because he very well know what the danger is and how worried his parents will be and yet he did it. He jeapardise not only his own life but also of his Uncle Ethan Chase's life

The charater I love the most in this book is Kenzie. She is Ethan Chase friend. Hopefully, the author will not kill off her in the next book as in this book the author have already hinted something sinister about to happen to Kenzie.

Overal, am giving it 3.5 stars out of 5.

The Iron Legends (The Iron Fey #1.5, 3.5, 4.5) by Julie Kagawa

Synopsis at www.goodreads.com

Enter the world of the internationally bestselling Iron Fey series. Dangerous faeries. Heartbreaking romance. Thrilling action and limitless adventure. The world of the fey has never been so powerful. This collection includes three novellas set in the world of the Iron Fey plus the Guide to the Iron Fey with exclusive information about Julie Kagawa's unforgettable world of Faery.

 

Winter's Passage

Never make a promise to a faery. They always come to collect. Now Meghan Chase must fulfill her promise to Prince Ash of the Winter Court and embark upon a dangerous journey into the heart of enemy territory—while being pursued by a relentless new foe and guarding her own foolish heart.

Summer's Crossing

What can turn enemies into reluctant allies? A call from the Exile Queen, Leanansidhe, ties legendary prankster Puck to his archenemy, Prince Ash, on a journey that may end in betrayal and will set them both on an irreversible path.

Iron's Prophecy

Before she ever knew what she might become, Iron Queen Meghan Chase was warned by the oracle that her firstborn child would bring nothing but grief. And even as Meghan and Ash celebrate their long-awaited union, the prophecy stirs.…

Three Iron Fey novellas for the first time in print

Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child…

A novella from the bestselling Iron Fey series
My comments:

I was hooked on the Iron Fey series since I read the first book, Iron King.

Am so happy when I got my hands on these three novella. The stories are very short. All were less than 100 pages each.

I really missed Ash, Meghan and Puck. Oh the cheeky Puck.

Of the three,  love the most was Summer Crossing as Puck plays a big role in it.

Iron Prophecy left me wanting for more. In it there is a glimpse of what is to come in the next instalment "The Lost Prince"

What I don't like about this 3 novellas are they are too short hence the stories in it seems to be "rushed" and "compacted".

Am giving this 4 stars out of 5 stars. They are good but they could have been better 

One Call Away : Answering Life's Challenges with Unshakable Faith By Brenda Warner with Jennifer Schuchmann

Synopsis by Booksneeze.com

Brenda’s life has taken twists and turns that are stranger than fiction. It always seemed as if she was just one phone call away from the next explosive change. Each time her plans fell apart, she had a choice: would she give up, or would she press forward and learn from the unexpected? One Call Away is the inspiring story of a woman who has prevailed through many of the circumstances that discourage women: tragedy, poverty, betrayal, and humiliation. But unlike most women, her life has been on display in the media.

Brenda’s faith and God’s strength enable her to face challenge after challenge: an accident that leaves her son blind and brain damaged, a crumbling marriage, a tornado that kills her parents, a new relationship with promising football player Kurt Warner, and the pressures his sudden success brings to their growing family.

Through food stamps and funerals, Super Bowls and serving others, Brenda’s strength is unwavering. Her determination to dream new dreams, willingness to learn from her mistakes, and commitment to giving back to her community make her a role model for women of all backgrounds.

Her dreams haven’t materialized as she had imagined, but Brenda has found that God has a much bigger plan for her. Conversational and candid, One Call Away invites readers facing their own difficulties to trust God and discover hope in the future.

My Comments;

First of all, thank the Publisher, Thomas Nelson for sending me this book to review. All opinion stated here is solely mine.

What I like about this book is Brenda's unbreakable spirit of facing the challenges in life. I know she is just a normal human being. The, she is also prone to weakness of a human being.

At times she could be self-centered like the time when her parents pass away, and everything seems to be focus on her. And her controlling nature about Kurt. All these are understandable. Let the person who have not sin cast the first stone is what I say.

I like the way she was being open in this book but putting in those negative stuffs about herself though anyone would have known that it will arouse some negative feelings from readers.

Love the photos.

What I dislike about this book is that it was rather long winded about Kurt's career. It kinda put me off a bit as am not really into the sport.

Overall, I am giving this book four stars out of 5 stars as I really liked this book.

Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades #1) by E.L. James

Synopsis from Goodreads.com


A book that started out as a simple Twilight fan fiction, but then turned into a bestseller phenomena on its own.

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

This book contains graphic sexual content and profanity and is intended for mature, adult audiences.

My Comments :

I received this book from a friend. I was curious why this book  have such a larger following. Hence I had a had high expectation on book.

Unfortunately, I have to say this is not the book for me. I had a hard time finishing this book as I did not like it much. Although I read the reviews stating that it's mild BDSM, I found that it's pretty sickening.

Anastasia Steele character seem to be weak and lack of depth. At one part Anastasia is portray as a down to earth sort of girl and at another, she was portray as wanton.

Not much "story" in this book. Mostly it revolves around sex and more sex. After some time, the sex scene gets to be a bit boring and  repetitious.

I don't usually give negative review. However, this is my personal opinion about this book.

However, please don't let my opinion stop you buying this book. Many people have love this book. Reading material is similar to food. Each person have their own opinion in reading material .